Relay and relaying system



June 12 1928. 1,673,697

J. W. MILNOR RELAY AND RELAYING SYSTEM Filed Nov. 8, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l June l2, 1928.

J. W. MILNOR RELAY AND RELAYING SYSTEM Filed Nov. 8, 192e 2 sheets-Sheet 2 t O m U H Patented June l2, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT ori-'ica JosErn W. xrLNon, or NEW roux, N. Y., AssIeNoa ro THE WEs'rEEN UNION TELE- omn comm, or NEW You, N. Y., n conronafrIoN or NEW Yoan.

RELAY .AND BELAYING SYSTEM.

Application mea november s, 192s. semi it. 147,113.

My invention relates to a relay system, and in particular to a system for re aying or repeating telegraphic signals.

Broadly, the o ject of my invention is o devise a system for relaying telegraphic or other signals at high speed.

Une specific object of my invention is to devise a main line rela which will reduce l lag in the repetition o signals, which will l@ reduce the detrimental etl'ect of extraneous iniluences, and which will give improved and sharper si nals. I

A further o ject of my invention is to devise an improved form of relay or repeater l having a 'short period of travel, positive.-

operation, and practically no tendency to rebound.

My invention is embodied in a system in which a main line relay, operated in accordance with signals to be repeated, controls one -or more local or auxiliary rela s which in turn either operate local soun ers, recording apparatus, or the like, or repeat the signals into branch circuits or into another line section. The main line relay type employing an opposing winding and an accelerating winding, in cooperation with a main operating winding, whereby the armature. of the relay is operated from 343 one contact to another when the incoming signal is reduced in amplitude below a certain value, and is quiclrly transferred rorn one contact to the other the action of the accelerating winding. The main linerelay controls one or more local relays which are provided with two inductively coupled operating windings which cooperate to produce pcsitiye and quiclr operation.

lily invention is illustrated in the accomn panying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a vcircuit diagram illustrating one liorrn of my invention which a niain line relay controls two auxiliary relays;

Figure 2 is a simplilied circuit disgrazia illustrating the connections between a inain line relay and the auxiliary relays;

1lligure 3 is a series ciE curves representing various currents which enter into the operation oi the main line relay; and

Figure tais a series of curves representing various currents which enter into the operation ot the auxiliary relays Referring to Figure 1, the main line relay is indicated generally at 1, and the two 6 auxiliary relays are indicated generally at is of the i 2 and 3. The main line relay is provided with two operating windings 26 and 27 connected in series with each -other and with line conductor 28 and balancing net work 29. A transmitting key is connected at a point between windings 26 and 27, and is provided with opposing contacts for impressing upon the line signal impulses of opposite polarity in a well known manner. Balancing net work 29 is provide-d for the usual purpose of balancing out the eilect of the operation of key 30 upon the main line relay 1, accordingly, it will be understood that transmitting signals from the local station by key 30 does not interfere with reception of signals over line 28 from a distant station. In addition to the main operating winding, relay 1 is provided with two auxiliary windings 11i and 12. The armature 17 of relay 1 is connected to one terminal of a source of direct current 4, the other terminal of source 4 being connected through separate paths to opposing contacts 18 and 19 ofrelay 1. One of these paths includes a resistance 5, windings 14 and 16 ofhrelays 2 and 3 respectively in parallel with each other and in series' with the resistance 5. rlhe other path includes a resistance 6 in series with windings 13 and 15 of relays 2 and 3 respectively connected A condenser 7 in parallel with each other. is also shunted around windings 14 and 16, and a condenser 8 is shunted around windings 13 and 15. Winding v11 ol relay 1, which will hereafter be referred to as the opposing winding, is connected in a path across contacts 18 and 19 of relay 1 which includes an adjustable resistance 9. Wind ing l2 of relay 1, which will hereafter be ieiierred to as the accelerating winding, is also connected in a path across contacts 18 and l@ which includes a variable ccndenser l0. .lt will thus be seen that windings 11 and 12 are inparallel paths connected across contacts 18 and 19, and the windings oil auxiliary relays 2 and 3 are connected in coninion portions of these paths, as is clearly shown in Figure 2. The armatures ol2 the local relays 2 and 3 and their opposing contacts have not been shown in :Figure 2 for the sake of clearness of illustration.

In describing the operation of my invention it will be assumed that a current flowing from left to right in any of the windings lll) nea

in either of the local or main line relays tends to move the armature of that relay to the left hand contact, and vice versa. The left hand contact is known as the spacing contact, while the right hand Contact is known as the marking contact. The operation of my invention may be understood by reference to Figure 3, curve A of which represents signals impressed upon the distant end off the telegraph line; curve B represents the signals received in coils 26 and 27 of relay 1; curve C represents the current which flows in opposing coil 1l of relay 1; curve D represents the current which flows in accelerating coil 12 of relay 1 eurveE represents the sum of the currents flowing in coils l1 and 12 of relay 1; and curve F represents the net effective current operating relay 1. A time reference line at the left of all curves is drawn at the point where the .transmitted current passes through zero. In curve A of Figure 3 the negative `current pulses below the zero .line are marking signals, and the positive current pulses above the zero line are spacing signals. It will be assumed that a spacing signal is being received and that armature 17 of relay 1 is being held against spacing contact 18. Current will be supplied to opposing winding 11 by battery 4 through resistance 6. resistance 9, winding 11, windings 14 and 16 of auxiliary relays 2 and 3 in parallel, contact 18, and armature 17. This current .is in such direction as to oppose the current flowing through coil 26 and 27, and tends to move armature 17 towards contact 19. As the line current flowing in windings 26 and 27 falls to a value, the magnetic effect of which is slightly less than the magnetic efl'ect of the opposing current flowing in winding l1, the armature 17 of the main line relay starts to move away from contact 18. When armature 17 breaks its contact with stop 18 the accelerating condenser 10 discharges through the accelerating winding 12 in series with resistances 5 and 6, thereby causing a current to flow through accelerating winding 12. The direction of current in winding 12 is such that it acts upon armature 17 to carry it quickly across to contact. 19. The current in the opposing winding 11 falls to zero during the time in which armature 18 travels from one contact to the other. Then the armature strikes the marking contact 19 the accelerating condenser takes a sudden charge thereby causing a current to flow through the accelerating winding 12 in such a direction as to hold the armature firmly on the marking contact stop. It will thus be seen that the action of accelerating winding 12 is such as to reduce the tendency for rebound of the armature. If the windings of the opposing and accelerating circuits each contain half the number of turns of the main line windings,

the relative magnetic effects of the currents in the line circuit and, the effective current in the auxiliary circuits'will bear the relation shown in curves B and E. This particular ratio of turns in the main line and auxiliary windings, however, is not essential to the operation of the circuit. The net result of all the currents acting on the main line relay is shown in curve F.

By comparing curve. F with curve B, the incoming signals, it will be noted that the resultant current approaches and crosses the zero line more sharply than the incoming current, which reduces the detrimental action of extraneous .currents such as telegra h and other line induction. Also, the initlal resultant current rises to a higher value than the incoming current, which prometes quick armature travel and affords a strong force to hold the armature at its contact and minimize rebound. Finally, the steady state value of the resultant current is lower than the steady state value of the line current, which is of assistance in preparing for transition to the following signal:

The action of the local or auxiliary relays may bel understood by reference to Figure 4. Curve A represents the transmitted signals and corresponds to curve A of Figure 3. Curves G, and H show the marking and spacing pulses flowing through the windings of ecah local relay and will be considered together. The action of both local relays is the same, and only that of relay 2 will be described. lVhen relay 1 breaks contact at 18 a steady current through the spacing coil 14 of local relay 2 falls quite sharply towards zero, as shown in curve H. As soon as this current starts to fall, condenser 7 dicharges through winding 14 in such a direction as to hold armature 20 on the spacing contact 21. lVhen the armature of relay 1 strikes the marking contact 19, current in coil 13 of relay 2 builds up, as shown in curve G. Itvwill be noted from curve Gy that a sho'rt spacing kick precedes the actual marking signal pulse. This short kick is the result of a voltage induced in winding 13 hy the rapidly falling current in winding 14, due to a transformer action in the relay. This kick is in such a direction as to hold the armature 2O on spacingcontact 21, i. e., to slightly delay the signal. After the spacing signal pulse in winding 14 has fallen to zero, a small marking pulse flows through this winding as a result of an oscillation between the inductance of the winding 14 and the capacity of condenser 7, as is shown in curve H. This pulse is in such a direction as to aid the marking signal building up in winding 13 at this time. The net effect of the current in windings 13 and 14 is shown in curve I. The transition from spacing current to marking current, or vice versa, is sharp. The benefits here derived are: short itil) one of the local relay armatures.

travel time ofthe local relay armatures; the initial value ofthe pulses is somewhat hi her than the steady-state value, thereby a ording a large holding force to reduce the contact rebound; and the .lowered steady state value pre ares the relay for the followino' signal. Vll these advantages in the loca relays are gained by the particular arrangement of the local relaywindings in the circuit and by the shunt condensers 7 and 8. Curve J- shows therepeated signals from While I have illustratedlone 'form of my invention in which a main line relay'controls t-wo local orI auxiliary relays, it will be understood that a greater, number of relays may be controlled by theli'ne relay, or that instead of operating local relays, the main line relay may Operate local apparatus such as printers, correcting circuits, etc. also, while I have illustrated my invention as applied to a differential, polar 1duplex telegraph system, it will readily be understood thatmy invention.is not limited in use to such` a system, and is adaptable to any system of telegraph signal transmission, whether simplex or any of the various forms of duplex systems.

I claim:

1. A relay comprising a polarized armature, a main winding for operating said armature Ibetween opposing contacts, an auxiliary winding normally tending to operate the armature to the opposing Contact, a second auxiliary winding for accelerating the movement of the armature from one contact to the other, said auxiliary coils being connected in parallel paths, across said o posing contacts, and means including'said armature for energizing said auxiliary windings. p

2. A relay comprising a polarized armature, a main winding for operating said armature between opposing contacts, an auxiliary Winding normally tending to operate the armature to the opposing contact, a second auxiliary winding for acceler-` ating the movement of the armature from one contact to the other, said auxiliary coils being connected in parallel paths across said opposing contacts, a third path connected across said contacts including a re sistance, and a source of current connected between said armature and a point in said third path intermediate the terminals of said resistance.

3. A relay comprising a polarized armature, amain winding for operating said armature between opposing contacts, an auxiliary winding normally tending to operate the armature to the opposing contact, a second auxiliary winding for accelerating the movement of the armature from one contact to the other, said auxiliary coils be- And ing connected in parallel aths across said opposing contacts, a third) path connected across said contacts includinga resistance, and a` source of current connected between said armature and a point in said third path intermediate the. terminals of said resistance, and relay windings connected in said third path on each side of said point of connections. Y

4. In a relay system, the -combinationof a relay comprising a polarized armature provided with opposing contacts, a winding for operating said armature between said contacts, a circuit connection between said contacts including a resistance, a source of current connected between said armature and a point in said circuit connection intermediate the terminals of said resistance, a second relay comprising an armature and two operating windings, said windings bcing connected in said circuit connection on opposite Sides of the point of connection of said source.

5. In a relay system, the combination of a relay comprising apolarized armature provided with opposing contacts, a winding for operating said armature between said contacts, a circuit connection between said contacts including a resistance, a, source of i a second relay comprising an armature andv two operating windings, said windings being connected in said circuit connection on opposite sides of the point of connection of said source, and a condenser in shunt to each of said second relay windings.

6. Inl a relay system the combination of a relay comprising a polarized armature provided with an operating winding and opposing contacts, a second relay comprising an armature provided with two operating windings, a source of current, a circuit connection between the armature of said first relay and one of its contacts including said source and one of the operating Windings of the second relay, and a circuit connection between the armature of the first relay and the other contact including said source and the other winding of the second relay.

7. In a relay system the combination oi a relay `comprising a polarized armature provided with an operating winding and opposing contacts, a second relay comprising an armature provided with two operating windings, a source of current, a circuit connection between the armature of said first relay and one of its contacts including said source and one of the operating windings of the second relay, a circuit connection between the armature of the first relay and the other contact including said source and the other winding of the second relay, and a condenser in shunt to each of said second relay windings.

8. In a relay system the combination of a relay provided with an armature, an operating winding, and opposing contacts, means to energize said winding, and means operative upon breaking the energizing circuit of said winding to at first hold the armature upon the engaged contact and to later repel the armature from the engaged contact.

9. In a rela system the combination of a relay provide with an armature, an operatiiig winding, and opposing contacts, means to energize said winding, a condenser connected in shunt to said winding and operating. upon opening the energizing circuit of said winding, to at first hold the armature upon the engaged contact and to later repel the armature from the en aged contact.

10. In a relay system t e combination of a relay provided with an armature, two operating windings, and opposing contacts, a source of current, a switch element and circuit connections for alternately energizing said windings from said source, and a condenser connected in shunt with each of said windings.

11. In a relay system the combination of a relay provided with an armature, two operating windings and opposing contacts, a source of current, a switch element and circuit connections for alternately energizing said windings from said source to transfer said armature from one contact to another, and means operative upon o ening said circuit connections to at irst holJd the-armature upon the engaged contact and to later transfer the armature to the opposite contact.

12. In a relay the combination of a polarized armature, an operatin winding and an energizing circuit for holding said armature against a contact, a condenser in shunt to said winding, said condenser and coil being so proportioned that upon opening the energizing circuit a complete oscillation of current flows in the local circuit including said winding and condenser.

13. A relay comprising a polarized armature, a main winding for operating the armature between opposing contacts, an auxiliary winding for accelerating the movement of the armature from one contact to the other, a circuit connection between the contacts including the auxiliary winding, and means including the armature for energizing tlie auxiliary winding.

14. In a relay system, the combination of a relay comprising a polarized armature provided with opposing contacts, a winding for operating said armature between said contacts, a second relay comprising an armature provided with two operatin windings, a circuit connection from one o said contacts including one of the operating windings of the second relay and a circuit connection from the other of said contacts includin the other operating winding of. the secon rela l In a relay system, the combination of a relay comprising a polarized armature provided with opposing contacts, a winding for operating said armature between said contactsz a second relay comprising an armature provided with two operatin windings, a circuit connection from one o said contacts including one of the operating windings of the second relay, a circuit connection from the other of said contacts including the other operating winding of the second relay, and a condenser in shunt to each of said second relay windings.

16. A relay comprising a polarized armature, a main winding for operating said armature between opposing contacts, an auxiliar winding for accelerating the movement o the armature from one contact to the other, a circuit between the opposing contacts incl'uding the auxiliary windin a second circuit between the contacts inclu ing two resistances, relay windings common to the two circuits, and a source of current connected between the armature and a point in the second circuit between the two resistances.

17. Iii a relay system, the combination of a relay comprising a polarized armature rovided with opposing contacts, a winding or operating the armature between the contacts, an auxiliary winding for accelerating the movement of the armature from one contact to the other a circuit between the contacts including the auxiliary winding, a second circuit between the contacts including two resistances, a source of current connected between said armature and a point in the second circuit between two resistances, relay windings common to said two circuits, and a condenser in shunt to each of said relay windings.

18. In a relay system, the combination of a relay comprising a polarized armature rovided with opposing contacts, a windin or voperating said armature between sai contacts, an auxiliary winding for accelerating the movement of the armature from one contact to another, said auxiliary winding being connected in a circuit between the opposing contacts, a second relay comprising an armature provided with' two operating windings, a circuit connection from one of the opposing contacts including one of the operating windings of the second relay, a circuit connection from the other of the opposing contacts including the other of the operating windings of the second relay, and a condenser in shunt to each of the operating windings of the second relay.

19. In a relay system, the combination of a relay comprising a polarized armature provided with opposing-contacts, a winding for operating the armature between said contacts, an auxiliary winding for accelerating the movement of the armature from one contact to the other, a second relay comprising an armature provided with two operating windings, a circuit between the said opposing contacts includin the auxiliary winding, a second circuit etween the opposing contacts including resistance, the two circuits including in common the operating winding of the second relay, and means including the armature of the first relay for 15 energizing the said two circuits.

20. In a relay system the combination of a main relay comprising a polarized armature provided with an operating winding and opposing contacts, a plurality ot' local relays each comprising an armature provided with t-Wo operating windings, a source of current, a circuit connection between the armature of said main relay and one of its contacts including said source and one of the operating windings of each ot' said local relays, and a circuit connection between the armature of the main relay and the other contact including said source and the other winding of each of said local relays.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

JOSEPH lV. MILNOR. 

